Final Scores – By Category:

Cast (20% of Final Score): 9.11

Costuming (10% of Final Score): 9.13

Customer Service (10% of Final Score): 9.81

Immersion (10% of Final Score): 8.71

Special Effects (15% of Final Score): 8.84

Scare Factor (20% of Final Score): 8.92

Entertainment & Value (15% of Final Score): 8.81

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Final Scores – By Attraction:

Attraction 1: 9.02

Since childhood, we are taught to fear what may lurk in the shadows of the forest. Werewolves howl as the moon shines through the trees. Grinning goblins watch wayward travelers on the path, just waiting to catch them unaware. The cackles of witches rise into the night while they work their dark magic and lure children in to be devoured.

What if I told you there’s a place where not only all of the above reside, but also myths and monsters born from folklore passed down for centuries? A place where all the tales you were told as a child have taken a turn for the dark and scary. No longer confined to storybooks, the creatures you’ll find here are very much alive and real…and touched by the hand of evil.

Welcome to Grim Trails, a fairytale-themed haunted attraction located within Louisville, Kentucky’s E.P. Tom Sawyer Park.

In operation for over a decade, Grim Trails boasts one of the longest outdoor experiences in Louisville’s extensive haunt scene. And one of the most unique too: they are the only folklore-based haunted attraction in the area! The 2024 season was sure to add some new chapters to this book of scary-tales, so when I was offered the opportunity to review them this year, I couldn’t pass it up. With the waning Hunter’s Moon still shining brightly in the night, this Lone Wolf ventured off into the woods of Kentucky to see what sinister stories Grim had brought to life.

NOTE: I experienced this attraction completely alone and did not join another group.

Many of your worst nightmares from the most sinister stories populated these woods…along with some other creatures of the night! After foolishly wandering into their castle, I had to flee from a handful of vampires who were a little too eager to have a guest – just in time for dinner, right?

Further down the trail, I encountered Tortoise and Hare preparing for their race; the Hare made odd chirps and screeches as they darted around me, repeatedly blocking my path as the Tortoise asked if I thought I could “win the race?” Excuse me? I’m a wolf – you’re a turtle!

After stepping into Pinocchio’s candlelit home, I got quite a startle when he suddenly sprang to life and sneered at my reaction. “Oh, there’s no reason to be afraid! Pinocchio would never hurt a fly!” The length of his nose suggested otherwise…along with the holes smashed in the walls.

My attempt to cross a bridge in one spot resulted in some inadvertent trespassing, prompting the troll who was guarding it to growl ferociously, “Move along, cretin!”

Finding my way into Peter Pan’s house, it didn’t take him long to discover the intrusion and he immediately demanded to know where Wendy was. “Wendy is dead! Dead, I tell you!” he snarled. He was so peeved that he stalked out after me, on the path, and viciously assured me I wouldn’t have a happy ending!

“Ohhh, that looks like trouble…” I murmured apprehensively when I spotted the huge pirate ship waiting ahead…and more importantly, the pirate captain sharpening his blade. He stopped when he noticed me and barked, “Halt! You look like no Lost Boy…” Not sure if he was Captain Hook or a different pirate, but he had me completely convinced I was going to be walking the plank before it was over! The wenches on board were just as mean as he was: “You’re no Lost Boy, definitely not!” I took that as my cue to abandon ship!

Moving on to a broader moonlit path, I narrowly avoided an attack by Little Red Slider-Riding Hood. After nearly being cooked alive in the witch’s oven- lured there by Hansel and Gretel- I made a run for it, as she cackled wickedly into the night.

While I understood the need to maximize guests throughput, I heard a few too many “keep it moving” type of lines from the actors. This is because I was hanging back in an attempt to avoid a conga line with the group in front of me, and the fast walkers behind me, who I eventually allowed to pass. Everyone did use their monster voices, but it was starting to get annoying. I always say don’t tell me to leave – make me want to!

Grim Trails’ costuming was excellent. Every single character appeared to fit the theme, and no one seemed to be out of place. Some outfits were more detailed than others, but for the most part, I could tell who or what the actor was supposed to be. The vampire ladies appeared to have feasted on an unlucky group, with blood-stained dresses and more gore around their mouths. A line roamer resembling a zombie wore tattered, dirty clothing.

Peter Pan and Wendy seemed like they’d jumped straight out of a storybook: their costumes were completely true to their characters. I was really impressed by who appeared to be Captain Hook, not only sporting a great makeup job, but also a complete pirate costume, with an actual sword! Another character I loved was the four-legged beast on stilts – big WOW, when I encountered them.

Makeup was mixed in detail too, though everyone I came across looked good overall. It was hard to fully appreciate it in the dark, but I was creeped out by the makeup on the lady doing the introduction…it was like her eyes and mouth were a black void, or so it seemed to me. As expected, the vampires were quite pale (and had the aforementioned blood). Our queue zombie’s face was made up in light and dark tones to give them an undead vibe.

Several masks were also used. Both of the goblins wore green silicone masks. The Tortoise had an incredibly detailed one that you’d swear was an actual turtle’s head, and the pig in the Three Little Pigs (well, there was just one) wore a realistic pig face with a rustic outfit to match. I also liked the bridge troll’s face with its fanged underbite, and the goat-masked monster in the green laser fog.

Locating Grim Trails was an easy affair: they plunked not only one, but TWO signs right at the entrance to Tom Sawyer park! There was even a third along the road heading in. No signs for parking, but the softball lot just down the road had lots of spaces and was so bright you couldn’t miss it.

A strong security presence was onsite, and all customers had to pass through a security check before they were allowed to enter. The ticket booth was super obvious and port-a-potties were nearby if anyone had to go. All ticket prices were clearly listed: $30 for General Admission, $40 for Fast Pass – and for those truly in a hurry, $65 for Front of the Line. The entrances for General Admission and Fast Pass patrons were marked and their queues easy to navigate.

Leaving the haunt- if you were fortunate enough to escape, that is- was also easy. I did have to duck under an opening in a fence to return to the main park (watch your head!), but a helpful staff member was there with a flashlight to assist. There are some trip hazards and dark spots here and there along the trail, but for the most part it was a very safe attraction.

A fenced-in path led to the security check and the entrance to the haunt. Flags bearing their logo and visages of monsters lined this path, and I was impressed by the big illuminated Grim Trails sign up ahead! Care was taken to make the experience feel true to the “scary-tales” theme from the moment groups came in. During my visit, a pair of goblins were among the pack of line actors running amok and tormenting people while they waited. Another actor, who resembled a zombie, actually leaped out of a tree and got my first swear word of the night!

The haunting ambiance was consistently upheld throughout the trail, and most scenes and areas were easy to figure out. Grim started out rooted in mostly fairytales, but has since included other famous legends and stories. The Tortoise and the Hare, Hansel and Gretel, The Beast of Gevaudan, Pinocchio, Sleepy Hollow (and the Headless Horseman, Peter Pan etc.) are among the many that should ring a bell with most people.

While it wasn’t a part of the attraction’s audio, I loved being able to hear the screams of other groups as I was going through! It only made the atmosphere even better; along with the waning Hunter’s Moon shining through the trees. The fun also didn’t end upon reaching the exit: a merch booth and some awesome photo ops were available to anyone wanting to buy souvenirs or grab a photo on their way out.

Although it certainly boasts a talented and scary cast, Grim Trails is also a high-tech haunt in many ways. Their lighting game was strong, with loads of ambient light used, from the queue to the exit in colors, and hues that matched each portion of the attraction. The amount used in between scenes was just enough to help groups find their way…without revealing what might be hiding in the brush.

Another neat light effect they used was the scores of glowing jack o’lanterns within the thicket of Sleepy Hollow. For audio, upbeat music played at the entrance to get the crowd prepared to be scared, along with a prerecorded growly voice providing some basic rules. More atmospheric tracks played frequently throughout the trail. I was particularly fond of the howling where the Beast of Gevaudan prowled (and might’ve joined in myself).

A lot of nice props were used in various scenes. Coffins and gravestones littered the grounds outside of the vampires’ castle, and I stumbled upon what appeared to be a taxidermied wolf (really, guys?!) in another spot.

Details were often added to walls as well. Tendrils of darkness seemed to infest Peter Pan’s home, driving both the Lost Boy and everyone else to madness. Giant cookies were painted on the witch’s house from Hansel and Gretel. Among the more impressive sets I came across was the pirate ship: it felt so real, I even had to cross a bridge to reach it! The big spooky graveyard area was amazingly done too.

Several animatronics and some sensory SFX were also included. A witch thrashed about, and dropped towards my head. I can honestly say I’ve encountered few haunts that love dropping scary things on you like Grim does. This sort of thing happened often!

True to the tale of Peter Pan, a massive actor-matronic gator lunged and tried to catch me in its snapping jaws! There was a good-sized area with very few actors in it, but a lot of neat scenery, like a scene filled with skeletons and animated nuns, and another with a wall of dolls that seemed to be moving…not creepy at all! Unreasonably large spiders waved their legs at me, while I picked my way through their lair, and I barely dodged the roaring mouth of a dragon puppet in another castle.

Fog was utilized in multiple spots; my favorite use of it had to be the oven in Hansel and Gretel, which I actually had to walk into! A sweet dessert scent was used in that same scene. Strobes were also used, and one area had a bouncy, squishy floor that went on for a while. At one point, I had to push through an inflated claustrophobia tunnel.

Peter Pan wasn’t messing around when he said I would receive no happy ending that night: trying to survive the living horror story that was Grim Trails was NOT an easy affair! Like, seriously, I’m pretty sure I cussed the entire way through my experience.

They were nailing me left and right…and from ahead, behind, above…I even saw them crawling! Fleeing from actors often got me chased as well. One duo, who I’ve referenced in this review more than once, was skilled at having one distract, while the other got the scare! Other characters hurled taunts and threats, invaded my space, and brandished weapons. Little Red actually slid across the pavement in her area, and created sparks!

Living monsters weren’t the only ones I had to worry about. I made the mistake of investigating a sobbing lady in black with her back turned to me. Not a good idea, at all…just let her cry and keep walking! There was also a decoy scare that was nothing short of amazing; I’m definitely not going to spoil that, but it got me SO good. Grim probably knows the one I’m referring to. They executed it perfectly!

In a poor older lady’s home, a vicious werebeast plunged through a wall to attack. Sneaky air blasts provided another type of scare, and those who are claustrophobic would’ve found the inflatable passage a rather tight squeeze!

The finale looked cool, and this isn’t a jab at the actors, but it needed a major bump in intensity. After being hit with scare after scare on the trail, it kind of fell flat in comparison. I did bring this up after the show and was told a revision is in the works, so I’m excited to see what they do with it in the near future.

Finding my way to the end of the living horror story that was Grim Trails took approximately 28 minutes, bringing their MPD (Minutes Per Dollar) score to a strong 0.93. With a GA ticket running $30, that’s nearly a full minute for every dollar spent! And that almost-half-hour was filled with screams, swears, laughs, and a healthy dose of immersion. Some other fun things were also included with the price of a ticket, like music, roaming monsters, and a couple of nice photo ops at the exit. The trail exited in front of their merch booth, too, so any customer wanting to purchase a souvenir could easily do so.

Intrigued by the idea of your childhood stories and legends taking a turn for the terrifying? Head into Louisville and find Grim Trails within the woods of Tom Sawyer Park. Just remember: no one will live happily ever after.